WEXFORD’S Bertram Allen and the nine-year-old gelding Qonquest De Rigo gave a good account of themselves in the five-star 1.60m Longines FEI Jumping World Cup at Lyon last Sunday, when finishing just off the podium in fourth place.

There were 39 on the start list for the challenging class, which saw eight first-round clears proceed to the jump-off. The timed decider proved testing, with four of the eight incurring faults in their quest for speed, leaving four who maintained their clean sheet. Allen’s time of 43.79 was just off the pace of the top three, all of whom represented the home nation. Olivier Perreau (FRA) on GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly took first place in the fastest time of 43.25, followed by Julien Epaillard (FRA) on Fringan de Vesquerie in 43.33 for second and Antoine Ermann (FRA) on Floyd des Pres placing third (43.68). Allen took home a prize pot of €30,860 for his fourth-place finish.

Allen’s placing moves him to joint eighth place in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Western European League standings following the second leg.

The Longines Equita Lyon was held at the Eurexpo venue. The five-star 1.60m Longines Grand Prix was held on Friday and saw 49 combinations go to post in the two-round class. Faults were plentiful in round one, with only 10 jumping clear to secure the chance to jump again. A withdrawal and an elimination left just eight in contention for places. Bertram Allen on Qonquest de Rigo booked their place in the jump-off, but an unlucky four faults in 44.53 put them in eighth place at the finish.

Five horses and riders completed double clear, with the best of these being Germany’s Richard Vogel, who took the win on board Gangster Montdesir in an unbeatable jump-off time of 38.78. The nine-year-old stallion is owned by Karlswood Partners, the sydicate led by Irish show jumper Cian O’Connor.

Britain’s Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien were runners-up in 39.73, whilst Gerrit Nieberg (GER) on Ping Pong van de Lentamel completed the podium in third (41.13).

Meanwhile, in the pony ranks, Cian McMunn and Wrenwood Kingsley placed seventh in the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy 1.35m Grand Prix. There were 28 starters in the class, with all but seven combinations faulting in round one. McMunn was among those to make it through to the jump-off, but suffered elimination second time out.